Changes

'''Contraception''' (or '''birth control''') refers to techniques, [[drug]]s, or devices that prevent [[pregnancy|conception]]. There are many different methods, each having its own level of effectiveness and safety. The only known method that is 100% effective is [[abstinence]]. [[Abstinence]] during fertile times can take the place of artificial forms of birth control.<ref> "When a couple for serious reasons abstain from intercourse at times at which they might conceive, their abstaining is itself chosen sexual behavior, and virtuous sexual behavior because it is expressive of a recognition of the demands of the pro creative good." [http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org] </ref>

'''Contraception''' (or '''birth control''') refers to techniques, [[drug]]s, or devices that prevent [[pregnancy|conception]]. There are many different methods, each having its own level of effectiveness and safety. The only known method that is 100% effective is [[abstinence]]. [[Abstinence]] during fertile times can take the place of artificial forms of birth control.<ref>"When a couple for serious reasons abstain from intercourse at times at which they might conceive, their abstaining is itself chosen sexual behavior, and virtuous sexual behavior because it is expressive of a recognition of the demands of the pro creative good." [http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org]</ref>

==Catholic teachings on contraception==

==Catholic teachings on contraception==

The [[Roman Catholic church]] prohibits the use of artificial contraceptives such as pills or barriers to Catholics, though it supports natural methods of avoiding conception based on timing. The policy on contraception is given in the [[Humanae Vitae]].

The [[Roman Catholic church]] prohibits the use of artificial contraceptives such as pills or barriers to Catholics, though it supports natural methods of avoiding conception based on timing. The policy on contraception is given in the [[Humanae Vitae]].

*The Church does not teach that in engaging in intercourse has to be acting with an intention for procreation, an objective one could realistically have in mind only when one was fertile. What they teach is that sexual intercourse will not make for an authentic unity of two-in-one-flesh if those engaging in it set out to negate its built-in significance as generative/procreation behavior. <ref>[http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org]</ref>

*The Church does not teach that in engaging in intercourse has to be acting with an intention for procreation, an objective one could realistically have in mind only when one was fertile. What they teach is that sexual intercourse will not make for an authentic unity of two-in-one-flesh if those engaging in it set out to negate its built-in significance as generative/procreation behavior.<ref>[http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org]</ref>

*The Vatican observes that the only morally sound method of birth control is avoiding sex when the woman is fertile.  In contrast, "'every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible' is intrinsically evil."<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm#III]</ref>

*The Vatican observes that the only morally sound method of birth control is avoiding sex when the woman is fertile.  In contrast, "'every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible' is intrinsically evil."<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm#III]</ref>

The [[Anglican Church]] regards sexual love as an essential way for a husband and wife to express and strengthen their mutual love, citing Genesis 2:18 'It is not good that the man (Adam) should be alone' in support of this. At the [[Lambeth Conference]] of 1930 a resolution was passed stating: ''Where there is a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, complete abstinence is the primary and obvious method.'' It continued by saying that if there was morally sound reasoning for avoiding abstinence, ''the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.''

The [[Anglican Church]] regards sexual love as an essential way for a husband and wife to express and strengthen their mutual love, citing Genesis 2:18 'It is not good that the man (Adam) should be alone' in support of this. At the [[Lambeth Conference]] of 1930 a resolution was passed stating: ''Where there is a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, complete abstinence is the primary and obvious method.'' It continued by saying that if there was morally sound reasoning for avoiding abstinence, ''the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.''

However, by the Lambeth Conference of 1958, contraceptive use among most Anglicans was widespread and a resolution that year stated that the responsibility for deciding upon the number and frequency of children was laid by God upon the consciences of parents ''in such ways as are acceptable to husband and wife''. <ref> [http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/smte.html#contraception Science, Medicine, Technology &amp; Environment | Church of England] </ref>

However, by the Lambeth Conference of 1958, contraceptive use among most Anglicans was widespread and a resolution that year stated that the responsibility for deciding upon the number and frequency of children was laid by God upon the consciences of parents ''in such ways as are acceptable to husband and wife''.<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/smte.html#contraception Science, Medicine, Technology &amp; Environment | Church of England]</ref>

==Muslim teachings on contraception==

==Muslim teachings on contraception==

Studies accounting for the timing and length of exposure showed that women who began using hormonal contraceptives before the age of 20 and before their first full-term pregnancy are at substantially increased risk for premenopausal breast cancer.

Studies accounting for the timing and length of exposure showed that women who began using hormonal contraceptives before the age of 20 and before their first full-term pregnancy are at substantially increased risk for premenopausal breast cancer.

The most recent meta-analysis to date, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (October,2006) found that oral contraceptives increase the risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer by 44% in women who took them prior to the birth of their first child. The authors noted that 21 out of 23 studies showed a positive trend or risk in this cohort of women. The meta-analysis also found that women who took oral contraceptives for 4 or more years prior to the birth of their first child had a 52% increased risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. Both of these statistics were significant at the 99% confidence interval-a higher standard of statistical significance than is used in most research.<ref>Kahlenborn C, Modugno F, Potter DM, Severs WB. Oral contraceptive use as a risk factor for premenopausal breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006:81(10):1290-1302.</ref> An older pooled analysis published in 1996-the Oxford pooled-analysis- found a relative risk (RR) of 1.24 of breast cancer diagnosis among current combined oral contraceptive pill users <ref>Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Breast cancer and hormonal contraceptives: further results Contraception, 1996;54 (1S- 106S) (See appendix 62).</ref>; however this analysis has been critiqued because over 66% of women were over the age of 45 <ref>Althuis MD, Brogan DR, Coates RJ, et al. Hormonal content and potency of oral contraceptives and breast cancer risk among young women. Br. J. Cancer. 2003:88:50-57.</ref> and because the authors included several older studies, the bulk of whose data came prior to 1980 <ref>Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Breast cancer and hormonal contraceptives: further results Contraception, 1996;54 (1S- 106S) (See appendix 62).</ref>.

The most recent meta-analysis to date, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (October,2006) found that oral contraceptives increase the risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer by 44% in women who took them prior to the birth of their first child. The authors noted that 21 out of 23 studies showed a positive trend or risk in this cohort of women. The meta-analysis also found that women who took oral contraceptives for 4 or more years prior to the birth of their first child had a 52% increased risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. Both of these statistics were significant at the 99% confidence interval-a higher standard of statistical significance than is used in most research.<ref>Kahlenborn C, Modugno F, Potter DM, Severs WB. Oral contraceptive use as a risk factor for premenopausal breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006:81(10):1290-1302.</ref> An older pooled analysis published in 1996-the Oxford pooled-analysis- found a relative risk (RR) of 1.24 of breast cancer diagnosis among current combined oral contraceptive pill users;<ref>Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Breast cancer and hormonal contraceptives: further results Contraception, 1996;54 (1S- 106S) (See appendix 62).</ref> however this analysis has been critiqued because over 66% of women were over the age of 45 <ref>Althuis MD, Brogan DR, Coates RJ, et al. Hormonal content and potency of oral contraceptives and breast cancer risk among young women. Br. J. Cancer. 2003:88:50-57.</ref> and because the authors included several older studies, the bulk of whose data came prior to 1980.<ref>Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Breast cancer and hormonal contraceptives: further results Contraception, 1996;54 (1S- 106S) (See appendix 62).</ref>

==Legality (US)==

==Legality (US)==

Until 1965, some US states criminalized the possession and/or distribution of contraceptives for reasons of public morality on the grounds that contraception would encourage premarital sex. In the 1965 [[Supreme Court]] case of [[Griswold v. Connecticut]], [[activist judge]]s invented a constitutional right to contraception. The 1972 case of Eisenstadt v. Baird later extended this invented right to include even unmarried couples, rendering any legal attempt to restrict access impossible.

Until 1965, some US states criminalized the possession and/or distribution of contraceptives for reasons of public morality on the grounds that contraception would encourage premarital sex. In the 1965 [[Supreme Court]] case of [[Griswold v. Connecticut]], [[activist judge]]s invented a constitutional right to contraception. The 1972 case of Eisenstadt v. Baird later extended this invented right to include even unmarried couples, rendering any legal attempt to restrict access impossible.

[[John Roberts]] upheld "Griswold" at his 2005 confirmation hearings to be Chief Justice.<ref> See [http://privacy-law.blogspot.com/2005/09/john-roberts-right-to-privacy-part-5.html quotations]</ref>  

[[John Roberts]] upheld "Griswold" at his 2005 confirmation hearings to be Chief Justice.<ref>See [http://privacy-law.blogspot.com/2005/09/john-roberts-right-to-privacy-part-5.html quotations]</ref>  

:asked, "Do you agree that there is a right of privacy to be found in the liberty clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?" Roberts responded:

:asked, "Do you agree that there is a right of privacy to be found in the liberty clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?" Roberts responded:

::"I do, Senator. I think that the court's expressions, and I think if my reading of the precedent is correct, I think every justice on the court believes that, to some extent or another. Liberty is not limited to freedom from physical restraint. It does cover areas, as you said, such as privacy. And it's not protected only in procedural terms but it is protected substantively as well."  

::"I do, Senator. I think that the court's expressions, and I think if my reading of the precedent is correct, I think every justice on the court believes that, to some extent or another. Liberty is not limited to freedom from physical restraint. It does cover areas, as you said, such as privacy. And it's not protected only in procedural terms but it is protected substantively as well."  

==Legality (International)==

==Legality (International)==

==References==  

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Contraception]]

[[Category:Contraception]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/when-does-life-begin Opposing Views: When Does Life Begin?]

*[http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/when-does-life-begin Opposing Views: When Does Life Begin?]

{{liberalism}}

{{liberalism}}